Celebs Who Dress (Way) Down

Apparently ridiculously expensive luxury items perform well in a recession

(NEWSER) - The solution to America's endless economic woes is apparently the Olsen twins' $39,000 backpack. In a Women's Wear Daily interview from last week just getting some attention , Ashley explains why she and her sister thought extreme luxury might sell: "During our last economic crisis in the US, the only thing that went up was Hermès." And their plan worked: The alligator backpack, part of The Row handbag collection, "was the first thing that sold off the shelf," Ashley says. Gawker has a picture, and snarks that it is "made exclusively from the skin of the mysterious fourth Olsen sister, who lives in a cage in their basement." More»

Who knew Paris Hilton hawked craft supplies?

(NEWSER) - Celebrities do the darnedest things…for money. Fox News rounds up the 26 oddest celebrity product endorsements:

• Jessica Simpson: Two words: Edible cosmetics.
• Paris Hilton: Selling hair extensions we understand. But scrapbook supplies ? Not so much.
• Nelly: The singer gave his energy drink the regrettable name “Pimp Juice.”

We're looking at you, Miley Cyrus

(NEWSER) - Now that Brooke Mueller and Charlie Sheen are hitting “ prehab ”—rehab for people (supposedly) without any actual addiction issues—it’s time for other celebrities to follow suit. Ami Angelowicz lists her top 10 candidates, on The Frisky :

• Britney Spears: Sure, she seems OK now. But you never know when she’ll “flip out on Jason Trawick, shave off her extensions again, and break out the pink wig.”
• Amy Winehouse: “Should be in prehab for the rest of her life. End of discussion.”
• Joaquin Phoenix: “Prehab or mental institution? You choose.”

(NEWSER) - With no formal fashion training and a celebrity image that’s more cutesy than couture, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen have transformed into unlikely fashion icons, the New York Times reports. Sales of their high-end label The Row are around $10 million—better than many established brands—and they’re expected to climb by 30%. “I don’t think anybody really cares that it’s Mary-Kate and Ashley’s collection,” a fashion director says. “They’re buying it because they like it.” More»

She can't help it, still wants druggie ex back

(NEWSER) - Amy Winehouse will be the first to admit that going back to her jailbird ex-hubby would be embarrassing, but she can’t help it: Blake Fielder-Civil is “my man,” she told the Mirror after a recent performance. “We can make it. We’re so strong together,” she continued before breaking down: “I’m so embarrassed, I love him though.” To prove her point, she later made out with Pete Doherty on-stage. More»